Laker fans are known for being fashionably late arrivals, but a healthy handful defied that notion by showing up as soon as the gates opened to catch pre-game warmups, presumably with the goal of booing Public Enemy No. 1.
1
Moments after arriving at crypto.Com Arena, Ja Morant had a message for his teammates: I’m good. He went through some stretching, then took the court for some shooting, and all lights were yellow until an hour before the game when they turned green.
2
The Lakers missed a big opportunity in Game 2 when the Grizzlies were without Morant. One reason was the surprising subpar play by Anthony Davis. He scored only 13 points, never had any impact defensively and really was invisible.
3
Move aside, Austin Reeves, and make room for a co-fan favorite at Crypto. That would be Rui Hachimura, who has rapidly won over the crowd with more of the same level of play since arriving at mid-season in a swap with the Wizards.
4
Perhaps the most impressive moment Saturday inside Crypto.com Arena was during the doubleheader changeover, from a Clippers’ home game early in the day to the Lakers’ nightcap.
5